A Guide on Getting your Package Through Customs & How to Fill out the forms.

It seems there is always a lot of misinformation out there on how to fill out all those International Paperwork forms.  I was an International Specialist/Manager for the big Express company for many years, so maybe my experience and knowledge will help others.

1. Print your International shipments on-line. 
If your package appears to be sent from a business and is professionally packaged with professionally prepared paperwork, it will get through customs much easier.

2.  Every country has it's own rules and regulations.  When you print from the carrier's website or through Paypal for USPS, you get a window that gives you the prohibitions.  The consignee (buyer) knows their countries regulations and generally won't bid on a prohibited item.

3.  Gift or no?  US Federal Regulations define a gift as something that the Consignee has paid nothing for.  Canadian Customs have been very vigilant in pulling items marked as gifts and holding them in customs.  This practice is not only a felony, but can cause your package to be held by Customs.  If Customs decides your package is indeed NOT a gift, they can confiscate it.  As a seller you are out the merchandise and will have to refund your consignee.

4.  Country of Manufacturer.  This is very important.  Do NOT just automatically put US in this section.  For instance I have sold many Goblets that were made by a Canadian firm.  When I put Canada as the country of manufacturer, the duties and taxes to the consignee are dropped.
In the European Union, if you are selling a French Purse, for instance, to Germany, if you put France as the Country of Origin, then there are no duties or taxes to the German who bought it!

5.  Addresses:  In Canada, the postal codes are always a letter/number/letter/number, etc.  So if you are unsure, remember this!  You can also call FedEx for an International Postal guide and they have the postal codes for most countries in this guide.  Correct addresses are a must!

6.  Value declared:  If you put a value other than what was the purchase price of the item 2 things can happen.  First, if you undervalue the item, then it gets lost or broken, the carriers will only cover the value that you declared.  This is also a red flag to the Customs in the destination countries.  And will get your package "caged" which means it doesn't flow through and will be inspected.
On the other hand, if you put a value more for customs than the insured value of the package, it can be flagged by customs as well.

7.  Paperwork:  You are required by law to keep records of all your International shipments for a period of up to 5 years.  So have a file to keep those records.  It is rare to be audited, but if you are, you want those records available.

8.  Do you need an Export License?  In some instances you do, but occasional International shipments won't require it generally.  There are also other forms that you may need to fill out such as an SED (Shipper's Export Declaration), and other customs forms.  If you do all your shipping through the websites of the carriers or Paypal, you will be notified if you need extra paperwork. 

9.  Proper Packaging!  It is imperative that you use professional packaging with all marks being related to what you are selling.  And also ALWAYS have a separate invoice on the package and your return address on the box itself.  Putting a return address inside the box or an invoice with all information will help if the labels get torn off your package.  Also, use the plastic envelopes provided for free from the carriers. 

10.  DON'T FORGET TO SIGN THE PAPERWORK!  If it isn't signed, it will be held by customs.  Don't forget to sign it and put the date that it is shipped!

I hope these tips help and although controversy exists on how to fill out forms, the above are the correct way.  If you have clear instructions for International customers on your eBay auction page, you won't be asked to do anything other than what is correct.  I have a large International repeat customer base because I am professional in my transactions and correctly fill out the paperwork so the package quickly gets cleared through the destination customs.

Ohio Pottery & Glassware